NEW DIGS AT EDISON WOW KIDS COMMUNITY CAMPUS HAS MORE TO OFFER.(News)

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Wide-eyed Thomas Edison Elementary School students took in their new digs Tuesday at the $46 million joint district and city-owned complex on South Pacific Avenue.

There were few longing glances cast at their vacant former campus across the street as kids talked about their new school's fully equipped playground and grassy fields - luxuries they didn't have where portable classrooms cluttered the playground.

``I think it's a great school because it's bigger and has more playgrounds and stuff,'' said third-grader Natalie Derghazarian, 8.

The school, situated on about half of the 9.5-acre site, has 34 classrooms on two floors, a computer lab, arts and science rooms, and a family center for parent education and other events.

During school hours, students and staff also will have access to shared- use facilities that open later this summer, including a branch library, gymnasium with indoor-outdoor stage and athletic fields.

The project, which broke ground in spring 2001, was paid for by about $7 million in city funds, $26 million from the Glendale Unified School District and a $13 million federal community-development grant.

``Seeing this new facility makes me want to go back to school,'' said Glendale Unified School District board member Greg Krikorian.

On the first day of the year-round school, 850 students had enrolled, with one of the four tracks off. The school has a capacity of 1,100 students.

Although the soccer field was not ready for use yet, kids couldn't wait to use all the new facilities, which had been voted on by members of the community.

``There's a gym, a baseball field, a soccer field, tetherball and four- squares,'' said Taron Mesropian, a third-grader. ``I can play after school and at recess.''

The multicolored buildings reflect the various cultures in the community, Principal Linda Conover said, and the school's interior design that emphasizes light and air with skylights enhances the school's appeal to children.

``I felt fresh,'' said third-grader Seyeon Kim about walking into the brand-new building the first day of school. ``But I was a little nervous about if I could adapt to the school and I was thinking if the rooms had changed.''

Teachers, who spent a week packing their rooms at the old school site and unpacking boxes and preparing their new rooms last week, were exhausted but looking forward to a school year with new resources at their fingertips.

``Here, every room is fully equipped, and I think it'll really enrich the entire curriculum over the course of time,'' said third-grade teacher Alan Turri. ``There are so many more stimulating activities available here like a playground, monkey bars, green fields, tetherball - we didn't have anything at the old school.''

While excited about their new resources - including a telephone, Internet access and three computers in all the rooms - some teachers felt they were finally catching up with amenities offered at other schools.

``It's sad we're excited about these things,'' said third-grade teacher Sarine Gureghian, who taught for six years at the old Edison site. ``Imagine a company like Sony not having Internet or computers. It's sad that we have to get excited about finally having Internet or having computers for the kids.''

Parents were pleased with the school's aesthetics, but were concerned about the level of education and access to technology offered to the kids.

``I like the shell, but the academics has to be great,'' said parent Valencia Sin-Clare, whose daughter was beginning the fourth grade. ``Yes, the outside is nice, but the inside has to be better.''

Glendale Unified spokesman Vic Pallos said district officials hope all the facilities that are part of the Edison-Pacific project - including a branch library - will be completed by the end of August. A formal grand- opening ceremony is planned for the community in early fall.

``We're one of a kind right now with a school and a community library - we're kind of the hub of the neighborhood,'' said Principal Conover. ``We can utilize each others' resources to make it so much better for the children.''

Krikorian believes that joint-use projects could be the wave of the future.

``Our city and our student population have a bright future with this project. Mixed-use presents a wealth of opportunities to the community as a whole,'' Krikorian said. ``It encourages future projects at all three other elementary schools - Columbus, Franklin and Marshall elementary schools.''

Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Kindergarten students enter the new Thomas Edison Elementary School on the first day of class Tuesday. The $46 million complex is a joint effort of the city and the Glendale school district.

(2) Second-grade teacher Ann Switzer helps a student figure out which classroom she needs to go to on the first day of classes at the new school.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer